Should the ledger board be the same size as the joists?

As a general rule, you should use the same size of board for the ledger as you plan to use for the joists. You can use a larger board, however, if it allows for a better connection to the house framing. Calculate the length as 3 inches less than the width of the deck framing.

How do I attach a ledger to a joist?





Toenail decking joists into position along the wall ledger using a galvanized 16d nail. Make sure the top of the joist is even with the top of the flashing on the wall ledger so that decking will go on evenly. For outdoor work, use hot-dipped galvanized nails; for indoors, use common (not sinker-type) nails.

Can I use a 2×4 ledger?

The 2×4 ledger is sufficient to support your 2×8 joists, but it needs 4 or 5 16d common nails per stud at 16″ on center to be able to carry the load if it is only carrying the floor load and no roof load.

What is a joist ledger?

A ledger board — a flat piece of timber anchored to the frame that evenly spreads the load of the joists it supports — is used for the installation of hangers. Joist hangers help to keep joists anchored over time and absorb the forces of the structure above.

Can you use a 2×6 for a ledger board?

Trex recommends 16″ OC at most, 12″ if running the boards diagonally. This is fine for 2×6 spacing. For the ledger, it’s worth replacing so it’s the same size. You might not be able to fully secure the larger hangers to the smaller ledger.

Should a ledger board be one piece?





The ledger board doesn’t have to be one continuous board. It can be a series of broken sections if it is solidly attached. This will require extra bolts and installing a 2x nailer across the top of the vent to secure the decking along the house wall.

How thick should a ledger board be?

The decking is 1-inch thick, so the top of the ledger is 1 1/8 inch below the bottom of the sill.

How much weight can a ledger board hold?

The ledger is 10′ long so every foot of ledger must be designed to carry at least 200 lbs of load.

How far apart should ledger bolts be?

The fasteners must be compatible with pressure-treated lumber to prevent corrosion. Typically, you will need to install your bolts alternating high and low 2″ from the top and bottom of the ledger board. As a rule of thumb, bolts can be spaced 16″ on center for supporting joist span up to 12′ in length.

What can I use for a ledger board?



Treated lumber is typically the material of choice, since the deck ledger is exposed to the elements. Select a board that is straight, with little bowing or cupping, and relatively free from splits and cracking.

How do you attach a ledger?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: To install it first mark where the top of your ledger board will sit against the house. Then remove the siding in this area.

How do you install a ledger?

  1. Navigate to ledger.com/ledger-live/download.
  2. Download the Ledger Live application.
  3. Double-click the Ledger Live executable file you downloaded.
  4. If a warning displays, click Yes to allow the installation of Ledger Live.
  5. Once the installation completes, click Finish.
  6. How do you attach a roof ledger to a house?

    Attach the ledger with 1/2-inch-diameter lag screws or bolts every 16 inches (or as specified by local building codes). Slip stainless-steel washers between the ledger and the siding to allow water to flow behind the ledger. If you can’t get behind the joist to cinch down nuts, use lag screws.

    What size is a ledger board?



    Ledger shall be a minimum of 2×8 nominal. Where guards are required, outside joists and rim joists shall be a minimum of 2×8 nominal.

    How do you attach a ledger to a house?

    Quote from the video:
    Quote from Youtube video: Here's the second fastener that we're going to use and we're going to use it to fasten the ledger to the foundation. So it's a masonry faster I drill a 1/2 inch hole into the foundation.

    How do I attach rafters to ledger board?

    Attaching Rafters to a Ledger



    Metal framing connectors make the best connections. Joist hangers can hang rafters from a ledger, but, for sloping rafters, notch them or use special rafter hangers. If rafters will sit on top of a ledger, attach them with seismic anchors as you would attach rafters to a beam.

    Can I attach a ledger board to wall studs?

    Mike Guertin (on Instagram @mike_guertin), a builder and remodeler in East Greenwich, R.I., and a presenter at JLC Live, responds: Yes, it’s technically possible to fasten a deck ledger to the narrow faces of 2-by studs rather than to a solid rim joist.

    Can you attach ledger board to foundation?



    Temporarily secure the ledger board to the correct location against the concrete wall using concrete screws or temporary supports. Use a wood bit to drill ½” pilot holes through the ledger board. Next, use a concrete bit to drill into the concrete wall. Install two bolts at the end of each ledger board.

    How do you lag bolt a ledger board?

    Quote from the video:
    Quote from Youtube video: We can move that screw over three inches to the left or the right. So that that protruding. Head is not going to interfere with our framing of the hanger.

    How do you attach 2×6 to concrete?

    Quote from the video:
    Quote from Youtube video: Right down into the hole into the concrete. Use very solid straight flows and drive both nails at the exact same time. When you make that final blow.